This document summarizes asthma, including its types, symptoms, causes, and treatments. Asthma causes airways to narrow and produce extra mucus, making breathing difficult. It is classified as intermittent or persistent based on severity. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Asthma is triggered by allergens, infections, pollution, and other environmental factors. Prevention focuses on avoiding triggers while medications are used to treat acute symptoms and reduce future attacks.
3. ASTHMA
Asthma is a condition in which our airways narrow
and swell and may produce extra mucus.
This can make breathing difficult and trigger
coughing, a whistling sound (wheezing) when we
breathe out and shortness of breath.
4.
5. Asthma is broken down into types based on the cause and
the severity of symptoms. Healthcare providers identify
asthma as:
•Intermittent: This type of asthma comes and goes so you
can feel normal in between asthma flares.
•Persistent: Persistent asthma means you have symptoms
much of the time. Symptoms can be mild, moderate or
severe.
6. Asthma signs and symptoms include:
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Wheezing when exhaling, which is a common sign of
asthma in children
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or
wheezing
• Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a
respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu
Symptoms
7. Causes / Aetiology
•Airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander or particles
of cockroach waste
•Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
•Physical activity
•Cold air
•Air pollutants and irritants, such as smoke
•Certain medications, including beta blockers, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen
sodium (Aleve)
•Strong emotions and stress
•Sulfites and preservatives added to some types of foods and beverages, including
shrimp, dried fruit, processed potatoes, beer and wine
•Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acids back
up into your throat
8.
9. Prevention
1.Identify Asthma Triggers.
2.Stay Away From Allergens.
3.Avoid Smoke of Any Type.
4.Prevent Colds.
5.Allergy-Proof Your Home.
6.Get Your Vaccinations.
7.Consider Immunotherapy Allergy Shots.
8.Take Asthma Medications as Prescribed.
12. What color is mucus from asthma?
White. Thicker white mucus goes along with feelings
of congestion and may be a sign that an infection is
starting. The white color comes from an increased
number of white blood cells. If you have asthma, lots
of white phlegm may be a sign of inflamed airways.
13. What percussion sounds are heard with asthma?
Hyperresonant sounds may also be heard when
percussing lungs hyperinflated with air, such as may occur
in patients with COPD, or patients having an acute
asthmatic attack. An area of hyperresonance on one side
of the chest may indicate a pneumothorax. Tympanic
sounds are hollow, high, drumlike sounds.
14. Types of lung sounds associated with asthma
Wheezing
Stridor
Rhonchi
Crackles/rales
Diminished lung sounds
Silent chest
15. Conclusion
• Asthma is common and can start at any age but it can be effectively
controlled.
• Effective asthma management includes patient education, objective
measurement of lung function, environmental control, and pharmacologic
therapy
• A stepwise approach to pharmacologic therapy is recommended
• The aim is to accomplish the goals of therapy with the least possible
medication.
Bronchial asthma is a more common type of asthma. It affects the bronchi (main air passages) in the lungs. Other types of asthma include childhood asthma, adult-onset asthma, allergic asthma, nocturnal asthma, etc.
